P a g e  | 1  

cDonalds -the ‘Mcdonaldisation’

McDonalds is a popular, worldwide food franchise who specialise in fast food. They have restaurants in 123 countries. (E.g. United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and China). McDonalds has 33,000+ restaurants around the world. They have head offices in almost every country they are based in but their headquarters is in Oak Brook, Illinois, U.S. McDonalds invests a lot of money and in 2011, they concluded the year with a total income of US$ 27.006 billion.

McDonalds around the world

Being a worldwide franchise, McDonalds has to rely on advertising to promote their products. Television is their primary form of advertising but the internet, radio, posters and newspapers are

A McDonald’s advertisement by a bus stop 

P a g e  | 2  

also frequently used. The yellow ‘M’ with a red background is recognised all around the world and even though their jingle ‘I’m Lovin’ It’ is altered slightly in different countries, it is known everywhere. McDonald’s also does a great deal of advertising through sponsoring events such as the Olympics.

The vast range of products that McDonalds offers is one of the reasons they are so popular. Even if you are a different religion with certain restrictions, this doesn’t stop you from feasting upon a Macca’s meal. McDonalds have created a menu that accommodates different cultures and religions so no one misses out. In India, they have the Maharaja Mac which replaces beef with lamb and in Hong Kong, the bun is made from rice.

An example of overseas McDonalds’ menus: McDonalds Hong Kong‐ Rice Burger

Australia, America and England

• Burgers- McChicken, Big Mac, Angus Burger (only in Australia) • Drinks-Soft drinks, Frappes, Milkshakes • Ice-cream-Soft Serve, McFlurry • Sides-Chips, Apple Slices • Desserts-Cake, Apple Pie, • Wraps-SnackWrap • Hot dogs (only in America) • Chicken McNuggets • Salads

Asia: ‘McDonalds’ in China 

• Burgers: McRice Burger, Fillet-O-Shrimp • Sides: Seaweed Fries • Wraps: McWrap Bacon Lettuce Egg Wrap • Ice Cream: Green Tea & Red Bean Sundae • Pies

#1The number of customers McDonald’s serves daily is greater than the population of

Great Britain.

• Salads

Due to their large range of products, it’s no surprise McDonalds invests so much money each year. They also play a big part in the economy and food industries. Developing countries receive more tourism from McDonalds when people go to eat it

FACT F I L E

P a g e  | 3  

and therefore, the developing countries benefit economically too.

Jobs are also provided and no sweat shop labor is involved since all food is made in store. Workers are paid decent amounts of money and the working conditions are hygienic and standards are maintained. Since McDonalds is a widely known fast food franchise, it is highly unlikely that children under the legal age are employed.

The Ronald McDonald House is a good example of how McDonalds helps others. This charity supports those parents with disabled children.

So, McDonalds not only makes tasty fast food but they assist developing countries and those who need help. What more could you ask for?

However, there are a few cons that need to be brought to attention about McDonalds. Their menu contains some choices that aren’t necessarily very healthy. The Double Quarter Pounder Burger contains 53.3 grams of fat. The normal daily intake of a person over the age of 4 years old should only be 67 grams. Therefore, if you eat the Quarter Pounder Burger you have eaten more than half of your daily intake of fat!

Pollution is also a major problem McDonalds is involved in. The amount of litter McDonalds produced in 2009 was 29,742.52 tonnes in total. Litter discarded on roads and in the environment is just as shocking. McDonalds requires machinery to make their products thus they burn fossil fuels, which contribute to global warming.

P a g e  | 4  

#2 McDonald's' $24 billion in total investments makes

it the 90st-largest economy in the world

FACT F I L E

McDonalds‐Litter

The current McDonalds is trying its best to better their impact on the environment by introducing recyclable packaging and encouraging their customers to dispose of their waste thoughtfully. ‘A business leader should also be an environmental leader’ is a quote taken from the McDonalds 2011 Annual Report.

In the end, whether it be a Happy Meal or a coffee from McCafe, a soft serve to a burger or even a worker to a customer, we have all in some way experienced the ‘McDonaldisation.’